Hoteliers crack the whip for safe New Year celebrations

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has cracked the whip on all its members, asking them to ensure safe and incident-free New Year's eve celebrations, an official said here Monday.

A circular to this effect has been issued to all member establishments in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

"People come to hotels and restaurants to leave behind the previous year and usher in the new one with revelry and hope. Hotels provide the space, comfort and convenience for people to welcome the first day of the New Year, where like-minded people come together for celebrations," HRAWI president Bharat Malkani said.

In view of growing incidence of crimes, especially against women, the HRAWI has initiated the drive for safe and responsible New Year celebrations scheduled for this Wednesday-Thursday.

Among other things, it has requested all members to deploy additional security at their premises and arrange for taxi queues for customers to reach home safely.

"This drive is not just for the safety of women, but also as a precautionary arrangement in case of unforeseen emergencies," Malkani said.

The crowd that troop out on New Year's eve require security and safety.

Since last year, hotels and restaurants were allowed to serve alcohol on New Year's eve until 5 a.m.

"Some revellers like to celebrate the occasion with wines and spirits...For them, we shall provision for cabs so they do not indulge in driving under the influence of alcohol, note down the taxi details for additional safety," Malkani added.

The HRAWI, founded in 1950 by late doyen of industry J.R.D. Tata, has over 1,300 members in western India, including the leading five-star hotels, and top grade eateries.